Let's start with the fainting fits mentioned in the previous post. I had a CT scan of my head on 18th November and saw the neurologist about it and the faints yesterday. After a chat and a physical examination he told me he believed I had just been having faints rather than fainting fits. The impact of this is that he says I can now drive again and come off the medication over the next week. I do, however, have to advise the DVLA of the blackouts but can tell them he says I am fit to drive.
I had a Prostap injection last Monday and a PSA test. The results of the test were a raised PSA level of 30.1. As I suspected, the rise is almost certainly because the test was done too soon after the TURP procedure (only 32 days). I will make sure I have another PSA test before I see the Urologist in January.
Today I had my latest check up following my testicular cancer. Usual blood test, X-ray and physical examination. Progress is as expected and my next check up will be in six months instead of the four months it has been.
04 December, 2009
01 November, 2009
Good news and something to think about
Well the TURP operation on Thursday was completely successful. I was expecting it to be done under general anaesthetic, and could have insisted on doing so, but the anaesthetist preferred to go for an injection in my back to numb me from the waist done backed up with a tranquilliser to keep me calm. The latter worked so well that I was asleep within seconds of entering the theatre and don't remember much until being transferred from the trolley back to my hospital bed.
The catheter fitted after the operation was a special one that fed saline solution into my bladder as well as draining fluid from the bladder into a bag. The purpose of this was to flush any debris out. Towards the end of Friday fluid was flowing clear of blood and the flow rate of the saline solution was reduced. Then, in the evening, the saline feed was removed altogether. This meant that moving around was a lot easier because I only had to carry the bag with me and didn't need to push a drip stand around too.
On Saturday morning the catheter was removed altogether. Any peeing had to be into bottles so that the volume produced could be assessed. I found I could pee, with a good flow, and the volume was satisfactory. If it hadn't been for what else happened on the Friday afternoon I would have been free to go home Saturday evening.
So what did happen? I was sitting in the chair next to the bed doing a crossword puzzle when I first felt hot and then felt nauseous. I recognised these signs as being a precursor to fainting so I pressed the call button for a nurse and sat back. The next thing I new as I came to was that there were six or seven nurses and a doctor round the bed. I recognised the initial signs because they had occurred four or five times before over the last two or three years. I hadn't taken much notice of them because I had felt fine within half an hour or so.
The medics took a very different view. I was given various physical tests to confirm that I was in control of my facial muscles and had strength in my arms, legs, hands and feet. My reflexes were also checked including reaction to light shined into my eyes. I was given an ECG. Apart from the latter most of the tests were repeated by different doctors and nurses over the next couple of days. I was told by a doctor that one fainting fit might be a one-off. Two meant a 50% chance of more and three a 100% chance of more - I'd had more than three. I have been referred to the neurological out patients' clinic for assessment which will include a CT scan of my head. For the time being I must not drive.
The doctor wanted me to stay in hospital Sunday night with a view to having the scan on Monday. As there was no guarantee that there would be a slot on Monday and I was concerned about how well my wife would cope with me away for another night I insisted that I should go home. This was agreed to but not without a couple of hitches. First I had the oral agreement that I could go but the doctor had not documented this. Second, I had been given tablets to take to prevent a re-occurrence and a label needed to be put on the packet by the pharmacy. In the end I don't know if the doctor signed the discharge form or whatever and the box of pills hadn't returned from the pharmacy after a couple of hours so my son took me home with me agreeing that the tablets would be collected later. Well my son phoned the ward three times during the afternoon and the tablets never got back to the ward so I will not be taking one tonight. I'll call them mid morning tomorow to see when I can go and collect them.
The catheter fitted after the operation was a special one that fed saline solution into my bladder as well as draining fluid from the bladder into a bag. The purpose of this was to flush any debris out. Towards the end of Friday fluid was flowing clear of blood and the flow rate of the saline solution was reduced. Then, in the evening, the saline feed was removed altogether. This meant that moving around was a lot easier because I only had to carry the bag with me and didn't need to push a drip stand around too.
On Saturday morning the catheter was removed altogether. Any peeing had to be into bottles so that the volume produced could be assessed. I found I could pee, with a good flow, and the volume was satisfactory. If it hadn't been for what else happened on the Friday afternoon I would have been free to go home Saturday evening.
So what did happen? I was sitting in the chair next to the bed doing a crossword puzzle when I first felt hot and then felt nauseous. I recognised these signs as being a precursor to fainting so I pressed the call button for a nurse and sat back. The next thing I new as I came to was that there were six or seven nurses and a doctor round the bed. I recognised the initial signs because they had occurred four or five times before over the last two or three years. I hadn't taken much notice of them because I had felt fine within half an hour or so.
The medics took a very different view. I was given various physical tests to confirm that I was in control of my facial muscles and had strength in my arms, legs, hands and feet. My reflexes were also checked including reaction to light shined into my eyes. I was given an ECG. Apart from the latter most of the tests were repeated by different doctors and nurses over the next couple of days. I was told by a doctor that one fainting fit might be a one-off. Two meant a 50% chance of more and three a 100% chance of more - I'd had more than three. I have been referred to the neurological out patients' clinic for assessment which will include a CT scan of my head. For the time being I must not drive.
The doctor wanted me to stay in hospital Sunday night with a view to having the scan on Monday. As there was no guarantee that there would be a slot on Monday and I was concerned about how well my wife would cope with me away for another night I insisted that I should go home. This was agreed to but not without a couple of hitches. First I had the oral agreement that I could go but the doctor had not documented this. Second, I had been given tablets to take to prevent a re-occurrence and a label needed to be put on the packet by the pharmacy. In the end I don't know if the doctor signed the discharge form or whatever and the box of pills hadn't returned from the pharmacy after a couple of hours so my son took me home with me agreeing that the tablets would be collected later. Well my son phoned the ward three times during the afternoon and the tablets never got back to the ward so I will not be taking one tonight. I'll call them mid morning tomorow to see when I can go and collect them.
09 October, 2009
Re-bore planned
Last Monday I 'phoned the consultant's secretary to see if the results of the biopsy were available. The message on the answer phone listed the hours that she worked - just three days in the week. On Tuesday I got through and learnt that the biopsies were clear and the multidisciplinary team would be discussing them on the following Thursday. I asked about the catheter. She said she could book me into the consultant's clinic but he might prefer that I go to the day ward again. She'd check with him and send me a letter with appointment details.
On Thursday afternoon I had a call from the secretary asking if I could attend the consultant's clinic the following day. I said I could and I was booked in for 09:30. Friday morning I drove to the hospital to attend the clinic. I saw the consultant before 10:00. He told me that he reckoned that the best thing for me would be a TURP (Transurethral resection of the prostate) - a sort of re-bore of the passage the urethra takes through the prostate. I was half expecting this and had contemplated that it might become necessary even before the problems caused, or rather worsened, by the biopsy procedure because my flow was becoming rather thin. As I was happy to proceed he checked when the operation could be done (29th October), arranged for a sister to go through the consent procedure with me and then sent me to the pre-evaluation suite.
I left the consultation with a leaflet about the TURP and my copy of the consent form and a package containing my notes. I handed the package to the receptionist at the pre-evaluation suite and was told they were booked up for the rest of the morning but I could be seen in the afternoon or early next week. I settled for Monday afternoon. I'll be in the hospital for two or three days for the TURP. I'll have a catheter again after the operation until my urine runs clear then I'll be allowed to go home without it. There is more information about TURP here http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/turp.html
A week or two back I had a letter from the consultants at the Christie Hospital who are monitoring me following my treatment for testicular cancer. The letter was to invite me to take part in a clinical study of potential genetic influences in testicular cancer. I've agreed to this as it only involves providing some blood and answering some questions. I've filled in the initial form and sent it to the research coordinator and now await the request for my blood sample. I suspect it will be taken at my next appointment at the Christie in early December.
Over the couple of weeks before the TURP I intend to be a bit more active despite the catheter. That probably means a couple of short to medium walks per day and maybe some resistance exercises at the gym. I may even try a cycle ride.
On Thursday afternoon I had a call from the secretary asking if I could attend the consultant's clinic the following day. I said I could and I was booked in for 09:30. Friday morning I drove to the hospital to attend the clinic. I saw the consultant before 10:00. He told me that he reckoned that the best thing for me would be a TURP (Transurethral resection of the prostate) - a sort of re-bore of the passage the urethra takes through the prostate. I was half expecting this and had contemplated that it might become necessary even before the problems caused, or rather worsened, by the biopsy procedure because my flow was becoming rather thin. As I was happy to proceed he checked when the operation could be done (29th October), arranged for a sister to go through the consent procedure with me and then sent me to the pre-evaluation suite.
I left the consultation with a leaflet about the TURP and my copy of the consent form and a package containing my notes. I handed the package to the receptionist at the pre-evaluation suite and was told they were booked up for the rest of the morning but I could be seen in the afternoon or early next week. I settled for Monday afternoon. I'll be in the hospital for two or three days for the TURP. I'll have a catheter again after the operation until my urine runs clear then I'll be allowed to go home without it. There is more information about TURP here http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/turp.html
A week or two back I had a letter from the consultants at the Christie Hospital who are monitoring me following my treatment for testicular cancer. The letter was to invite me to take part in a clinical study of potential genetic influences in testicular cancer. I've agreed to this as it only involves providing some blood and answering some questions. I've filled in the initial form and sent it to the research coordinator and now await the request for my blood sample. I suspect it will be taken at my next appointment at the Christie in early December.
Over the couple of weeks before the TURP I intend to be a bit more active despite the catheter. That probably means a couple of short to medium walks per day and maybe some resistance exercises at the gym. I may even try a cycle ride.
23 September, 2009
A blockage
I had passed a lot of blood during the day Monday but my water was clear in the evening and Tuesday morning. I'd not had much exercise these last two or three weeks so I walked into the village to do a bit of shopping and back again - about a two mile round trip. It was after this that when I opened the "flip flow" valve on the catheter that no real fluid was passed and what did do contained clotty blood. This happened twice. So I changed the "flip flow" valve for a leg bag so that my bladder could drain all the time even if the flow was nearly non existent. Added to this twice urine blood mixture was forced pass the catheter. So I called the urology nurse who advised me to go to see my GP (who would only be able to tell me how full my bladder was) or go to A&E.
So I spent a couple of hours of late afternoon / early evening in A&E. My catheter seemed to be blocked and there was plenty of blood in what had come through earlier. After taking blood samples and doing the usual blood pressure and temperature checks A doctor from the urology department came to see me. Wouldn't you just know it, the catheter bag had filled! We decided that, rather than replace the catheter, the one already in would be flushed. A clot of blood came out on the first flush but nothing more on the next two. All seems to be OK now - no more blood and bag filling nicely. I hope it stays that way.
Many thanks to my mate and his wife from down the road who drove me to and from the hospital and waited around with me whilst I was there.
Still OK today (Wednesday).
I think I know what caused the problem. I had strapped the catheter pipe to my thigh to keep it tidy but I think the walking pushed the pipe in and out a little. Probably just a couple of millimetres but enough to irritate my penis (walking was uncomfortable) and cause the catheter balloon to chaff my bladder. Needless to say the pipe is no longer strapped although it would probably be OK to do so provided that enough flexibility was allowed above it.
So I spent a couple of hours of late afternoon / early evening in A&E. My catheter seemed to be blocked and there was plenty of blood in what had come through earlier. After taking blood samples and doing the usual blood pressure and temperature checks A doctor from the urology department came to see me. Wouldn't you just know it, the catheter bag had filled! We decided that, rather than replace the catheter, the one already in would be flushed. A clot of blood came out on the first flush but nothing more on the next two. All seems to be OK now - no more blood and bag filling nicely. I hope it stays that way.
Many thanks to my mate and his wife from down the road who drove me to and from the hospital and waited around with me whilst I was there.
Still OK today (Wednesday).
I think I know what caused the problem. I had strapped the catheter pipe to my thigh to keep it tidy but I think the walking pushed the pipe in and out a little. Probably just a couple of millimetres but enough to irritate my penis (walking was uncomfortable) and cause the catheter balloon to chaff my bladder. Needless to say the pipe is no longer strapped although it would probably be OK to do so provided that enough flexibility was allowed above it.
19 September, 2009
A Disappointment
Yesterday, Friday, I went to the hospital to have the catheter removed. This was done with no problem and I just had to hang around and make sure I could pee before going home. So I was plied with tea and water to encourage the process. The first couple of attempts just produced a dribble with some blood. The next was a bit more encouraging - enough to slosh around in the measuring bottle - but still pretty pathetic. After lunch of a salad sandwich, more tea and water, the next attempts at peeing were more productive and were clear of blood but it was clear that I was taking in more liquid than I was passing out. The nurse said she'd give my bladder a scan after my next attempt to see how much fluid was being retained in my bladder. The scan showed that there was about 300ml still there.
It was decided to give it a bit longer before deciding what to do next. I had another cup of tea and went for a walk out of on hospital entrance around the block and back to the other entrance. The next pee was still less than 100ml.
Decision time. I could go home and hope it improves. The down side to this option was that if it didn't improve and I began to get discomfort due to the build up of urine in my bladder I'd have to go to A&E to get it sorted because the day case ward would be closed. So far there had been no discomfort despite more liquid intake that output. The second choice was intermittent self catheterisation. This would allow me to go home with some catheters and to use one maybe twice a day to stop my bladder getting over full. The third option was a permanent catheter like the one that had been removed that morning although I could have a "flip flow" valve (like a tap) instead of a leg bag.
I was very tempted just to go home and hope for the best but decided to give self catheterisation a try. The nurse explained what was involved gave me a catheter and left me to give it a go. Holding the tube (a normal sized one) in the proper way there was no way I could manage to even get it started. I discussed my failed attempt with the nurse. She told me that it would be all right to hold the tube near to the end to be inserted if that would help. She got me a smaller (narrower) sized catheter and offered to be around whilst I tried to insert it. This time I got it started and it was well in before it hit some sort of obstruction and refused to go further. The same thing had happened last week when two nurses failed to insert a catheter.
Now it was only the third option left. The nurse went off to get a normal catheter which she managed to insert with no trouble. A bag was attached initially so that my bladder could be drained then a "flip flow" valve was put in its place. The nurse had also brought along a bag containing some reusable night bags, a spare "flip flow" valve, a couple of leg bags, and a leg strap to keep the leg bag tube close to my thigh. She also contacted the company that supplies these items. They will contact my GP for a prescription, deliver extra spares on Tuesday and when ever I contact them for more (the one prescription is enough no repeats needed). She also put in a request for an urgent appointment with my Urology Consultant so that something can be done about the problem.
So, rather than being rid of the catheter as I had hoped, I'm lumbered with it indefinitely. There being no point in going along to the hospital each week, having the catheter removed, trying to pee, failing, and going home with another catheter. Especially if the problem has been brought on by various tools and tubes being poked into my bladder and something in the pipes, possibly the prostate, swelling up in protest and restricting the flow. I'm not inclined to allow any further internal investigations though. I'd rather stick to using the catheter for a couple of months whilst any potential inflammation settles down. I don't want any more prodding about causing more inflammation.
A curious thing with the catheter is that even though my bladder is emptied into a bag or via the "flip flow" valve, every now and again the system tries to pee normally and manages to squeeze a small amount of fluid out past the tube. Most of the time it is just a drop or two but occasionally it is enough to be potentially embarrassing. It is easier to manage with the "flip flow" valve because using the valve upon the warning signs usually pre-empts this happening. Even so, I'm using incontinence pads in case it happens whilst I'm out and about just in case.
It was decided to give it a bit longer before deciding what to do next. I had another cup of tea and went for a walk out of on hospital entrance around the block and back to the other entrance. The next pee was still less than 100ml.
Decision time. I could go home and hope it improves. The down side to this option was that if it didn't improve and I began to get discomfort due to the build up of urine in my bladder I'd have to go to A&E to get it sorted because the day case ward would be closed. So far there had been no discomfort despite more liquid intake that output. The second choice was intermittent self catheterisation. This would allow me to go home with some catheters and to use one maybe twice a day to stop my bladder getting over full. The third option was a permanent catheter like the one that had been removed that morning although I could have a "flip flow" valve (like a tap) instead of a leg bag.
I was very tempted just to go home and hope for the best but decided to give self catheterisation a try. The nurse explained what was involved gave me a catheter and left me to give it a go. Holding the tube (a normal sized one) in the proper way there was no way I could manage to even get it started. I discussed my failed attempt with the nurse. She told me that it would be all right to hold the tube near to the end to be inserted if that would help. She got me a smaller (narrower) sized catheter and offered to be around whilst I tried to insert it. This time I got it started and it was well in before it hit some sort of obstruction and refused to go further. The same thing had happened last week when two nurses failed to insert a catheter.
Now it was only the third option left. The nurse went off to get a normal catheter which she managed to insert with no trouble. A bag was attached initially so that my bladder could be drained then a "flip flow" valve was put in its place. The nurse had also brought along a bag containing some reusable night bags, a spare "flip flow" valve, a couple of leg bags, and a leg strap to keep the leg bag tube close to my thigh. She also contacted the company that supplies these items. They will contact my GP for a prescription, deliver extra spares on Tuesday and when ever I contact them for more (the one prescription is enough no repeats needed). She also put in a request for an urgent appointment with my Urology Consultant so that something can be done about the problem.
So, rather than being rid of the catheter as I had hoped, I'm lumbered with it indefinitely. There being no point in going along to the hospital each week, having the catheter removed, trying to pee, failing, and going home with another catheter. Especially if the problem has been brought on by various tools and tubes being poked into my bladder and something in the pipes, possibly the prostate, swelling up in protest and restricting the flow. I'm not inclined to allow any further internal investigations though. I'd rather stick to using the catheter for a couple of months whilst any potential inflammation settles down. I don't want any more prodding about causing more inflammation.
A curious thing with the catheter is that even though my bladder is emptied into a bag or via the "flip flow" valve, every now and again the system tries to pee normally and manages to squeeze a small amount of fluid out past the tube. Most of the time it is just a drop or two but occasionally it is enough to be potentially embarrassing. It is easier to manage with the "flip flow" valve because using the valve upon the warning signs usually pre-empts this happening. Even so, I'm using incontinence pads in case it happens whilst I'm out and about just in case.
11 September, 2009
What a nightmare
It should have been a straightforward procedure - Rigid cystoscopy and bladder biopsy. I understood it was to be done as a day case so didn't take any overnight things to the hospital at the appointed time of noon on Wednesday. The admittance notes had me down for overnight. Anyway I was taken to the ward and an allocated bed. All the admittance procedures went smoothly enough and I changed into a hospital gown.
At about 14:20 I was led downstairs to the surgery reception and fitted out with heart monitor and blood pressure cuff. A few minutes later wheeled into the anaesthesia room where a cannular was inserted into the back of my left hand. Pretty much the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room and ready to be taken back to the ward. The good news is that the surgeon could see nothing amiss in my bladder but took four random biopsies for testing anyway.
I had told the surgeon that I was keen to get back home the same day, and accordingly he had not fitted a catheter so that if I had no trouble peeing I'd be allowed home. Unfortunately I did have trouble peeing. This was almost certainly down to the damage done to the end of my penis by the cystoscope. Apparently I have the tightest entry the surgeon had come across and the skin on the inside of my penis had been torn and probably bruised too. After two or three hours of not being able to pee a catheter was inserted to allow my bladder to drain. So an overnight stay anyway.
The next morning the catheter was removed. I still couldn't pee though. After a couple of hours a short catheter was inserted on the basis that the obstruction to the flow seemed to be in the penis rather than the bladder. This was unsuccessful. So an attempt by a couple of nurses to insert a normal catheter was made - unsuccessfully. So a call was made for one of the doctors to come and do the job. An hour or two later a reminder call was put through. After about seven hours of desperately needing to pee and failing and getting pain in my penis with each attempt I was getting pretty distressed. The nurses, bless them, saw this and, I think made it pretty clear to the doctor that he was needed urgently.
Well, the doctor came, and not without some difficulty, managed to inset a catheter. What a relief - physically and emotionally. The down side was that I'd have to stay another night in the hospital, but all things being well I'd be able to go home the next day with the catheter still in place attached to a bag strapped to my leg.
I had a good night and the catheter worked well and this morning the doctor agreed that I could go home with the catheter fitted and keep it in place for a week. After the week I am to have it removed and to see if I can pee without it. Getting the OK to go and actually getting away are not the same thing. I pointed out that I had an appointment at the health centre this afternoon for my next Prostap injection and I really did not want to miss it. I think this concentrated their minds and by 14:00 the paper work was done, an appointment booked for next Friday to remove the catheter and a supply over overnight bags and a spare day bag provided with instructions on their use.
Matthew, my eldest son, picked me up from the hospital and took me home. He also agreed to drive me down to the health centre for my appointment. Just as we were about to leave I got a call from Smile about suspected fraudulent use of my credit card. We decided to sort that out on our return. I had the Prostap injection but didn't bother with the PSA test - the nurse confirmed my thoughts that all the mucking about around my prostate would produce artificially high readings. I'll get that done in a month or six weeks time.
So for the next week I'll be living with a catheter and bag. I don't think I'll go to the gym next week nor doing any cycling. Walking is OK but a bit strange at the moment. It is good to be home and more or less back to normal though.
A call back to Smile confirmed that someone had been using my card on an on-line betting site. So the card is stopped until they send me a new one. They told me not to worry about the fraudulent transactions (about £700 worth), they will be removed from my account as the fraud department handles the matter. Just an inconvenience but an unwelcome one.
Ain't life fun?
At about 14:20 I was led downstairs to the surgery reception and fitted out with heart monitor and blood pressure cuff. A few minutes later wheeled into the anaesthesia room where a cannular was inserted into the back of my left hand. Pretty much the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room and ready to be taken back to the ward. The good news is that the surgeon could see nothing amiss in my bladder but took four random biopsies for testing anyway.
I had told the surgeon that I was keen to get back home the same day, and accordingly he had not fitted a catheter so that if I had no trouble peeing I'd be allowed home. Unfortunately I did have trouble peeing. This was almost certainly down to the damage done to the end of my penis by the cystoscope. Apparently I have the tightest entry the surgeon had come across and the skin on the inside of my penis had been torn and probably bruised too. After two or three hours of not being able to pee a catheter was inserted to allow my bladder to drain. So an overnight stay anyway.
The next morning the catheter was removed. I still couldn't pee though. After a couple of hours a short catheter was inserted on the basis that the obstruction to the flow seemed to be in the penis rather than the bladder. This was unsuccessful. So an attempt by a couple of nurses to insert a normal catheter was made - unsuccessfully. So a call was made for one of the doctors to come and do the job. An hour or two later a reminder call was put through. After about seven hours of desperately needing to pee and failing and getting pain in my penis with each attempt I was getting pretty distressed. The nurses, bless them, saw this and, I think made it pretty clear to the doctor that he was needed urgently.
Well, the doctor came, and not without some difficulty, managed to inset a catheter. What a relief - physically and emotionally. The down side was that I'd have to stay another night in the hospital, but all things being well I'd be able to go home the next day with the catheter still in place attached to a bag strapped to my leg.
I had a good night and the catheter worked well and this morning the doctor agreed that I could go home with the catheter fitted and keep it in place for a week. After the week I am to have it removed and to see if I can pee without it. Getting the OK to go and actually getting away are not the same thing. I pointed out that I had an appointment at the health centre this afternoon for my next Prostap injection and I really did not want to miss it. I think this concentrated their minds and by 14:00 the paper work was done, an appointment booked for next Friday to remove the catheter and a supply over overnight bags and a spare day bag provided with instructions on their use.
Matthew, my eldest son, picked me up from the hospital and took me home. He also agreed to drive me down to the health centre for my appointment. Just as we were about to leave I got a call from Smile about suspected fraudulent use of my credit card. We decided to sort that out on our return. I had the Prostap injection but didn't bother with the PSA test - the nurse confirmed my thoughts that all the mucking about around my prostate would produce artificially high readings. I'll get that done in a month or six weeks time.
So for the next week I'll be living with a catheter and bag. I don't think I'll go to the gym next week nor doing any cycling. Walking is OK but a bit strange at the moment. It is good to be home and more or less back to normal though.
A call back to Smile confirmed that someone had been using my card on an on-line betting site. So the card is stopped until they send me a new one. They told me not to worry about the fraudulent transactions (about £700 worth), they will be removed from my account as the fraud department handles the matter. Just an inconvenience but an unwelcome one.
Ain't life fun?
01 August, 2009
Wonky bladder?
At each of my check ups at the Urology Clinic for my prostate problem I have given a sample of urine and each time the cytology has found suspicious cells unconnected with the prostate. After the second such sample I underwent a flexible cystoscopy examination and a CT Urogram neither found anything untoward. Now that the latest cytology has found suspicious cells, the Urologist wants me to have a rigid cystoscopy examination and bladder biopsy. Thankfully these will be done under general anaesthetic as a day case at the hospital – a rigid cystoscope up the water works sound most uncomfortable. I should get an appointment letter sometime in the next week or so.
The situation is then that the testicular cancer is in remission (next check-up early December), the advanced prostate cancer is under control (next check-up January) and bladder cancer (I presume) is under investigation. If the series continues, I suppose it will be the kidneys next. :)) As is to be expected this has my wife back in worry mode and to be honest, it has me a bit disconcerted too. Life's too short to let it get me down though.
The situation is then that the testicular cancer is in remission (next check-up early December), the advanced prostate cancer is under control (next check-up January) and bladder cancer (I presume) is under investigation. If the series continues, I suppose it will be the kidneys next. :))
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